Tag: LL Cool J

LL Cool J Claims to Be the First Rapper to Wear Jordan Sneakers

LL Cool J claims he had a hand in establishing Air Jordans as a major footwear trend within the Hip Hop culture.

In an interview with Big Boy, the famous rapper stated that he was the first person in the hip-hop world to wear the iconic sneakers designed by Michael Jordan in the mid-80s, long before they became commonplace.

“My first album cover, I had the Jordan sneakers on when he was a rookie. I was the first person with the Jordans on in the Radio album cover,” he recalled.

“Michael Jordan was a rookie when I did that. Everyone was wearing Adidas and Puma, bro. I put the Jordans on. He ain’t even have no championships. He was just a rookie. I liked the sneakers.”

L says it’s ‘a blessing’ to own his masters and licensing

It’s every artist’s dream to own their masters and licensing and LL Cool J is happy to live that dream. During a recent conversation on Million Dollaz Worth of Game, the “Paradise” rapper explained how rewarding it has been to own his masters and licensing since late ‘90s.

“Yeah, I own my masters,” L revealed. “I got my catalog back just before 2000. And, you know, it just worked out well. So now, if you hear an LL COOL J song in a movie, or if you hear my song in a commercial, I’ve licensed that song.”

He added, “but that’s a blessing, you know? There but for the grace of God, you know what I’m saying? It just worked out. I got a lot of bites at the apple. And I was born to do what I’m doing. I’m not a dude that’s just doing Hip Hop because I’m doing it. You know? I was born to do it.”

L recalls when Hip-Hop wasn’t a popular culture

Hip-Hop has grown to become one of the most popular music genres on the planet, but the culture has come a long way. Rap legend and pioneer LL Cool J recently sat down with Gillie Da King and Wallo on their podcast Million Dollaz Worth Of Game where he recalled a time when there were no mangers, executives and A&Rs in Hip-Hop.

“There weren’t no managers in Hip-Hop when I started,” L recounted. “There were managers, there were no A&R, there were no executives. The only manager was like at the Red Lobster. No managers. Look Russel was an executive, he was acting like manger, he was a promoter,” the G.O.A.T rapper added, referring to Russel Simons, who helped him gain his ground in the rap game during the ‘80s.

“We was making our way in the industry. There was no network of people who knew Hip-Hop and understood the culture. You know, so everything was brand new. Remember when I started they didn’t even play Hip-Hop on radio on the daytime. That’s when you could only get only a couple of hours on the weekend.”

Cool J to headline first tour in three decades

LL Cool J plots to headline a tour for the first time in 30 years. This week, the veteran rap star announced a 24-date trek dubbed The F.O.R.C.E Live, which stands for “Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy.” The tour will begin on June 25 in Boston and end in Los Angeles in September and will see Cool J accompanied by DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Roots, and his longtime tour DJ, Z-Trip.

Throughout different stops, Cool J will invite the following guests: Big Boi, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Common, De La Soul, Doug E. Fresh, Goodie Mob, Ice-T, Jadakiss, Juvenile, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Rick Ross, Salt-n-Pepa and Slick Rick.